Composing the firm of french



E. E. EINFELDT.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR E. E. EINFELDT.

WORK HOLDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24| ma.

1,316,702. PatentedSept.23,1919.

3 SHE INVENTOR C ATI'dRNE 5,

E. E. EINFELDT.

WORK HOLDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.24, 1918.

1,316,702. PatentedSept. 23, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR BY Mg W XTTORNEYS- True COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0 wAsmNuToN. D. c.

TED SATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST E. EINFELDT, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO G. WATSON FRENCH, NATHANIEL FRENCH, J'QSEPI-I L. HECHT, AND W. H. STACKHOUSE, ALL OF DA.V ENPORT, IOWA, COMPOSING THE FIRM OF FRENCH 86 HECHT.

WORK-HOLDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

. Application filed August 24, 1918. Serial No. 251,234.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I; ERNEST E. EINFELDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in l/Vork-Holding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to work holders or supports, more particularly for supporting wheels to enable punching or other operations to be performed on the rim, and the invention has for its object the support of the wheel in such manner that it may be conveniently and readily changed in position for successive operations at predetermined points bearing definite relations to the axis of the wheel, for instance at points in a plane at right angles to the axis of the wheel.

In fastening the toothed driving gear or rack to tractor drive wheels for instance, which wheels are usually provided with two sets or ranks of spokes, it is necessary to punch holes in the rim of the wheel and attach the gear to the same either directly at the holes or indirectly through the medium of braces or angle brackets, an important requirement being that the holes bear a uniform relation to the axis of rotation, that is to be disposed in a plane at right angles to said axis. The punching operation is performed by means of a punch or equivalent hole forming tool cooperating with an anvil or die by which the rim is sustained at the point where the punch acts, and in order to thus support the rim in the proper manner for effective action by the punch,'it is necessary to extend the anvil between the spokes. This condition requires that in order to shift the wheel around circumferentially to bring difierent portions of the rim under the punch for the successive opera-.

tions, it is necessary to move the wheel laterally to carry the spokes beyond the end of the anvil so that there will be no inter ference by the anvil with the spokes when the wheel is turned. It is also necessary, when the wheel is brought back to its operative relation to the punch after each shifting movement, that it will occupy such position that the next hole will occupy the relative P si ionto the axis of r tion of the wheel as the previous hole. In other words the holes should be located in a plane which cuts the axis of the wheel at a true right angle, to the end that the holes will be disposed in rows extending in a truly circumferential direction around the rim.

My invention aims to meet these condit1ons,.and it consists in combining with an anvil and a cooperating punch, a supporting device for the wheel formed to sustain the same so that it may be rotated or turned about its axis for the successive punching operations, and movable so that it may be shifted between the turning movements to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil so as to prevent interference between the spokes and anvil in the turning operatlon.

The invention consists also in providing the wheel support with an index device to determine the degree of turning movement between the punching operations and thereby determine the distance between the holes.

The invention consists also in the details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved wheel supporting device showing a wheel supported thereby in operative relation to be punched, certain parts being broken away to better show the construction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with certain parts in section on the line aa of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts in position to permit the wheel to be turned betweenthe punching operations.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the index device.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line cc of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the spoke clamp for securing the wheel fixedly to the index device.

In the accompanying drawings:

1 designates a main frame or column from which projects a horizontal fixed anvil 2; and 3 designates a punching device cooperating with the anvil and comprising in the present instance a pair of punches mounted to reciprocate vertically in an overhanging head 4 on the upper end of the 99 1 111 4. and p ra-teal by a'shaft 5 driven.

. by a pulley 6 from a suitable source of power.

7 designates a wheel supporting device comprising in the present instance a vertical guide frame 8 sustained by the main frame, a slide 9 mounted in the guide frame, and an index device 10 rotatably mounted on the slide and formed to rotatably support a wheel 11 with its rim 12 on the anvil in operative relation to the punch.

The'guide frame 8 extends vertically flatly along the face of the column or frame beneath the anvil and is provided at its lower end with a lateral foot 18 formed at its opposite ends with studs or journals 14: mounted to rock in bearings 15 on the frame,

" the construction being such that the guide frame may be swung forwardly on its axis from an operative upright position as shown in Fig. 1, to an inclined inoperative position as shown in Fig. 3, the purpose of which will presently appear.

The slide 9 is in the form of a vertical fiat plate guided at its edges in vertical guideways 16 in the edges of the guide frame, the lower end of the slide resting on spiral springs 17 seated in vertically adjustable sockets 18 on the foot of the guide frame whereby the slide is yieldingly sustained by the guide frame.

The index device 10 is in the form of an index wheel having a horizontal inwardly extending journal 19 mounted to rotate in a bearing 20 formed in a boss or hub 21 projecting forwardly from the slide at its upper end, the journal being confined in its hearing by means of a confining ring 22 bolted to the inner face of the index wheel and bearing loosely against the face of an annular flange 23 projecting outwardly from the boss 21. The index wheel is provided on the opposite side from the journal 19, with a horizontal spindle 24 extending in line with the journal, which spindle receives and supports the hub of the wheel 11, the relation of the parts being such that when the hub is seated on the spindle, the rim of the wheel 11 will extend over the anvil beneath the punches, and the anvil will extend between the spokes of the wheel. The wheel 11 is removably confined on the spindle, in the present instance by means of a key or wedge 25 inserted in a slot in the outer end of the s indle and bearing against the outer end of t e hub.

The wheel 11, when in position on the supporting spindle, is fastened fixedly to the index wheel so as to turn therewith, by means of a spoke clamp 26, Figs. 1 and 6, consisting in the present instance of two spaced fingers or lugs 27 projecting forwardly from the rim of the index wheel so as to extend on opposite sides of one of the spokes of the wheel 11, a clamping wedge being driven in between one of the lugs and the spoke and acting to bind the latter firmly and fixedly against the other lug, thereby firmly fastening the wheel in fixed relation to the index wheel. The rim of the index wheel is formed at equal intervals with open notches 29 adapted to receive a lug 30 projecting forwardly from the lower end of the anvil when the guide frame is in an upright position and is supporting the rim of the wheel 11 in operative position for the punching operation. These notches determine the points in the rim of the wheel 11 where the holes are to be punched, and they insure the placing of the holes at equally spaced definite intervals.

The operation of the device is as follows: The supporting device being in the vertical position shown in Fig. 2 and held yieldingly by two spiral springs 31 fastened respectively to the guide frame and main frame, the wheel whose rim is to be punched is set in place on the spindle 2 1 and confined thereon by the wedge 25. In this position of the wheel, one of the spokes extends between the lugs of the spoke clamp and is fastened by the clamping wedge. The lug 30 on the anvil extends in one of the index notches in the index wheel, and the rim of the wheel extends'over the anvil with the latter projecting between the spokes at the upper part of the wheel. Also in this position of the parts the springs 17 support the slide yieldingly with the rim slightly above and out of contact with the upper face of the anvil. The parts are now ready for the punching operation, and as the punches descend on the rim, the latter will sink and compress springs 17 until the rim brings up against the anvil and comes to rest. The descent of the punches continuing, the holes are formed in the rim, and as the punches rise and relieve the pressure on the rim, the springs 17 in expanding will elevate the slide 9 and consequently the rim of the wheel slightly, thereby disengaging the bur formed by the punch, from the die hole in the anvil and freeing the rim. The uide frame, with the parts supported thereby, is now swung forwardly on its pivotal axis to the position shown in Fig. 3, which may be accomplished by the operator taking hold of the wheel and pulling it forwardly, in which action the index lug will be disengaged from the notch in the index wheel, and the spokes of the wheel will be carried beyond and free of the end of the anvil. The index wheel is now turned one notch by turning the wheel 11, and when the next notch arrives opposite the index lug, the wheel is released and the springs 31 acting on the guide frame the latter will be drawn back to its former upright position, thereby entering the index lug in the registering notch in the index wheel and bringing the rim over the anvil for the next punching operation. These operations are repeated for the opposite movement of the supporting device again locking the index wheel, the wheel 11 being free to be shifted about its axis for its successive operations without interference with the spokes by the anvil.

It will be observed that between the successive turning or shifting movements of the wheel '11 the rim is brought to the same operative relation to the anvil and punch by the return of the supporting device to the same definite vertical position against the face of the frame 1. This, coupled with the fact that between the punching operations the wheel is turned about itsaxis, insures the location of the holes at points in the rim in a common plane at right angles to the axis of rotation. Consequently the gearor rack attached to the rim by employ- 1 ing these holes as a basis, will be in the correct position to mesh properly withthedriving gear by which it is operated.

Injthe foregoing description and accompanying drawings I have set forth my invention in the particular detailed form which I prefer to adopt. It will be manifest, however, that these details may be variouslychanged and modified by the skilled mechanic without departing from the limits of the invention; and further it will be understool that the invention is not limitedto any particular form or construction of the parts except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a machine for punching holes in wheel rims, the combination of an anvil and a wheel supporting device, one of which is movable relatively to the other to permit the wheel to be changed in position on the supporting device without interference of the anvil with the spokes, a spoke clamp carried by the wheel support, and a punch cooperating with the anvil inacting on the rim of the wheel. a

2. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an anvil and a punch cooperating therewith, a wheel supporting device adapted to rotatably sustain the wheel with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch, said supporting device being movable to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil; whereby the wheel may be rotated on the support for another punching operation without interference of the anvil with the spokes. l

3. In a mechanism of the type described, the combination of an anvil and a punch cooperating therewith, a wheel supporting device adapted to sustain the wheel in movable relation thereto with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch, said supporting device being movable to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil; whereby the wheel may be changed in position on the supporting device for a new punching operation without interference of the anvil with the spokes.

4:. In a mechanism of the type described, the combination of ananvil and cooperating punch, a wheel supporting device adapted to sustain the wheel with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch so that it may be shifted thereon about its axis, said supporting device being movable in the direction of the axis of the wheel to carry the spokes beyond the anvil; whereby the wheel may be shifted on the support to bring a different part of the rim in operative relation to the punch without interference of the anvil with the spokes.

5. In a mechanism of the type described, the combination of an anvil and cooperating punch, a wheel supporting device adapted to sustain the wheel in movable relation thereto with its rim in operative relation to the punch and anvil with the latter extending between the spokes, said supporting device being movable to carry the spokes beyond the anvil; whereby the wheel may be changed in position on the supporting device for a new punching operation without interference of the anvil with the spokes.

'6. In a machine for punching holes in the rims of wheels, the combination of an anvil r1m 1s in operative position to be punched,

said means acting to release the index wheel to permit it to be turned, when the supporting device is moved to carry the spokes free of the anvil.

v, 7. In a machine for punching holes in the rims of wheels, the combination of an anvil and cooperating punch, a wheel supporting device including an index wheel having notches and adapted to sustain the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative re lation to the anvil and punch, said supporting device being movable to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil when the index wheel is to be turned for a new punching operation, and a lug on the anvil in position to enter a notch in the index wheel and hold the same against rotation when the rim of the wheel to be punched is in position to be acted on by the punch, said lug being automatically disengaged from the notch when the supporting device is moved to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil.

8. In a machine for punching holes in the rims of wheels, the combination of a main frame, an anvil supported thereby and a- 00- operating punch, and a supporting frame pivoted to the main frame and adapted to rotatably support the wheel to be unched with its rim 1n operative relation to t e anvil and punch; whereby by swinging the supporting frame on its pivotal axis, the spokes of the wheel will be carried beyond the anvil, and the wheel may be rotated for a new punching operation without interference of the anvil with the spokes.

9. In a machine for punching holes in the rims of wheels, the combination of a main frame, an anvil supported thereby and a cooperating punch, a supporting frame pivoted to the main frame and adapted to rotatably support the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch, and a spring acting on the supporting frame and operating to hold the same yieldingly with the rim of the wheel in operative relation to the anvil and punch.

10. In a machine for punching holes in rims of wheels, the combination of a main frame, an anvil supported thereby and a cooperating punch, a guide frame pivoted to the main frame a slide movable in the guide frame and adapted to rotatably support the wheel to be punched with its rim in operaitive relation to the anvil and punch, and a spring acting on the slide to yieldingly support it in the guide frame.

11. In a machine for punching holes in the rims of wheels, the combination of a main frame, an anvil sustained thereby and a cooperating punch, a supporting frame pivoted to the main frame and provided with a spindle to rotatably support the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch.

12. In a machine of the type described, the combination of amain frame, an anvil supported thereby and a cooperating punch, a frame pivoted to the main frame, and an index wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and adapted to sustain the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch.

13. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an anvil and punch cooperating therewith, a wheel supporting de vice including a rotary member adapted to support the wheel with its rim in operative relation to the punch and anvil, a spoke clamp on said member to hold the wheel in fixed relation thereto, said supporting device being movable to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil to permit the wheel to be turned for a new punching operation.

14L. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an anvil and punch cooperating therewith, a wheel sup-porting device including a rotary index wheel adapted to support the wheel with its ,rim'in operative relation to the anvil and punch, and a spoke clamp on the index wheel to hold the wheel to be punched in fixed relation with the index wheel, said supporting device being movable to carry the spokes of the Wheel beyond the anvil to permit the index wheel to be turned for a new punching operation.

15. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an anvil and cooperating punch, a rotary index wheel adapted to support the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch, said index wheel being movable in the direction of the axis of rotation to carry the spokes of the wheel beyond the anvil.

16. In a machine of the type described, the combination with the main frame, an anvil and a eodperating punch, of a guide frame pivoted to the main frame, a spring acting thereon and tending to hold the same yieldin-gly against pivotal motion, a slide mounted in the guide frame, a spring acting on the slide to yieldingly support the same, an index wheel journaled on the slide for rotation and provided with a wheel supporting spindle adapted to support the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative relation to the anvil and punch, and a spoke clamp carried by the index wheel and adapted to clamp a spoke of the wheel to hold the same in fixed relation to the index wheel.

17. In a machine of the type described, the combination of an anvil and cooperating punch, a rotary member adapted to support the wheel to be punched with its rim in operative relation tothe anvil and punch, and so that the wheel may be turned about its axis, said member being movable in the direction of the axis of rotation to carry the spokes beyond the anvil.

In testimony whereof, I'have aflixed my signature hereto. 1

ERNEST E. EINFELDT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

